Finally a new post!

Okay, so I know that I have not posted anything for a while now. It has been super crazy around here. We have been putting up our Christmas tree, going to ballet, watching it snow, going to ballet, having Hailee's 9th birthday party, going to ballet, Christmas shopping, going to ballet, and oh yeah, going to ballet. We have been having ballet of some form at least three times, sometimes more, a week! I went to opening night of the Nutcracker with my mom and mother-in-law. Hailee did such a wonderful job!! It was so cool to see her up on stage, being part of something that was so cool. Sorry, but they won't let me take pictures of her in her costume. I will try to scan one in when I get their pictues back.

I have been woking about 30 hours a week on top of everything else. I did love to sit at my desk and look right out the window and see the snow falling, and sticking to the trees outside. I love the look of the snow on the bare tree branches.

Hailee had a great birthday, she invited her entire school class to the party, I know, crazy mom. It was lots of fun, we played BINGO, and opened presents, ate cake, played the Wii and shoveled the driveway like 10 times in the two hours so that they would not fall on the way to their cars.

Here is a slide show of some pics of what has been going on. There is still one more performance that Hailee is in this year. Saturday, December 20th at 7:30, the performances last about one hour and 45 minutes I think. It is my turn to stay home with Issac, but Todd will be there. You can buy tickets at the door, they are $12 for adults, and $8 for kids, not bad for the Nutcracker! It is a wonderful show, they do a great job! Hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday season, hopefully I will be able to post again before Christmas, but if I don't, I love you all, and wish you a Merry Christmas!!

Chase update

Okay, so those of you who have been wondering, Chase is doing much better. They had the school counselor take him out of class and talk to him about everything, they also talked to the other kids involved. They gave Chase a Bully Report that he keeps, and fills out, then at the end of the month will turn it in. He has not been complaining at all about going to school, or about anyone being mean to him!! I am grateful for his great teacher, and the counselor at school for helping with this situation. I'm sure they didn't want some CRAZY mom down there!! Thanks to everyone for their help and support, it really means the world to me. I try so hard to be practical and not over react to things, but I was having a really hard time with that. Love you all.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Hey everyone, I just wanted to tell everyone Happy Thanksgiving!! I know that I will not see most of you, so I wanted you all to know how much we love you all, and pray that you have a wonderful Thanksgiving. I am so very grateful for this blogging thing, so that I can actually stay in touch with all of you!! I am thankful for my loving family who keep me going, a great job to keep me busy, a MARVELOUS husband who is so loving, and puts up with all of my crap, three wonderful kids who I love with everything I have, and great friends who keep me sane! I love you all!!

Poor Chase

Okay, so I didn't take a picture, because I don't think I could handle seeing it all the time. Chase has been having such a hard time at school lately. There is a kid in his class who is picking on him (I always thought he would do the picking). He came home three times last week saying that this kid was hitting him and pushing him down. On Thursday he came home and said that this kid had given him a bloody nose and that the teacher had tried calling me. Okay, frusterated, no call showed up on the caller ID, not sure what happened there. I immediately went to the school and talked to the teacher. He didn't know anything about this kid picking on Chase, I guess the "duty" didn't tell him anything. Anyway he has been trying to make escuses why he can't go to school, but always changes his mind when I remind him that if he doesn't go to school, he doesn't get to play with friends all day. Well, he seemed better on Friday after school, so I hoped that the teacher, who said he would talk about bullying with the whole class, had helped. Today Chase came home with a big bump and scrape down his face. He was playing soccer and this kid came up and shoved him down on the cement. I'm having a really hard time deciding what else I can do. I don't want Chase to think that I don't believe him, but sometimes he keeps changing his story. I don't know if he thinks I will get mad at him, or if he doesn't want to get into trouble for something. All I know is that today it went too far. If this kid really did push Chase down today, and it wasn't an accident, then I need to go back to the school and figure this out. How do I help Chase to tell me what really happened, and get the true story without making him think that I don't believe him. I want him to have faith in me, that I will do all that I can to protect him! I need any advise you are willing to give.

Roast Pig

This year for Halloween, we roasted a pig. We usually do it around Chases birthday, but we didn't have time this year. We invited the family and lots of the neighbors. We started roasting the pig around 12:30 and it was ready to start eating around 6:30. It was fun to see all the little kids either too scared of it to come into the driveway, or thinking it was WAY cool! Even some of the parents were not so sure about it. But we did have some brave souls who would try some. It tastes so yummy, I crave it all year, until the day after that is, when everything smells like roast pig!! We finally finished with the pig at about 10:00 after we got all the meat off that we could. I wasn't very good at taking pictures of everyone that was there, I was too busy with the pig and with the trick or treaters! Sorry for lack of people pictures, but I did get one of Brett, Debbie, Zachery and Samantha.

Church Halloween Party

On Thursday we had our ward Halloween Party. Todd worked late, so I made Jordan come with me to help with Issac. They always have face painting, a cupcake walk, and a spook alley. Chase really liked to bats that Sister Loftis painted on his cheek, they looked cool. Issac was crazy, running all over the place, in and out of the gym, down the halls. That is until he found his friend Jeff. He just loves our neighbor Jeff, and will not leave him alone. Thanks for playing with him Jeff!

Nutcracker Performances

Okay, so I found out what days Hailee will perform. Her days are Friday, December 12 at 7:30-9:30pm and Saturday, December 20 at 7:30-9:30. All performances will be at Mount Jordan Middle School in Sandy. I can't find the address right now, but when I find it I will post it on the sidebar. You can buy tickets online at www.mountainwestballet.org tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for children. I have placed a link on the sidebar with the days Hailee will perform and the prices, so it will stay on there and be easy to find. There is a trax station right by the Middle School, so that is one easy option. Thanks everyone for your support of Hailee, it means so much!!

Boo at the Zoo!

Well, on Saturday we went to the Zoo to trick or treat. It was CRAZY, there were a TON of people!! It was so much fun, we went with Megan and Parker (sorry Hank, wish you could have come too)!
Thanks for inviting us. It was fun to see all the costumes, and I love going to the zoo when the weather is a little cooler. The animals are so much more active! Hailee is a vampire this year, and since we were heading to ballet after this, a bun in her hair was perfect. Chase is a ninja, and we thought that his swords would not be allowed, so we didn't take them. Issac is a race car driver, an old costume from Chase, but it is warm, and comfortable.

It was a very busy day for us. After the zoo, I took the boys home and it was my turn to drive the carpool to Sandy for Nutcracker practice. As soon and I dropped off the other girls, I picked up Todd, Issac and Chase. We dropped Issac off with Nana, picked up Jordan and went to see High School Musical 3. The kids were so excited, that on the way home from the zoo, we drove past East High School. They couldn't believe that the movies were made so close to where we live!! It was good, I think I still like the first one the best, but the kids say they like this one better!

Does anyone need a new Hairstylist??

I was wondering if anyone needed a new hairstylist? If so, Hailee is available on a limited basis. She only has Thursday evenings, and Sunday afternoons available. Call quickly to make your appointment, as you can see from my hair, the times will go quickly! I love to have her comb my hair, and she always does crazy stuff. Last night as we watched TV for a few minutes, she sat down behind me and this is what I ended up with. Let me know if you would like the same hairstyle, and I will book you an appointment.

Thanks Grandpa and Donna

Yesterday Grandpa and Donna took Hailee and Chase to Boondocks for the day. They always have soooo much fun when Grandpa takes them. First they went to the pumpkin patch to pick some pumpkins. Then they went to Boondocks where they stayed from 12:30 until 7:15!! They did everything, go-carts, laser tag, mini golf. It looks like it was tons of fun, of course I don't get to go, I am home with Issac. Maybe next year, Issac will be able to go and have fun too.

What is a BonBon??

Sorry for not posting much lately, just a little bit busy with ballet! Okay, so when we looked to see if Hailee was going to be in the Nutcracker, she was listed as a BonBon. Well, I having not done any ballet, knew nothing about a BonBon. Hailee had her first practice on Saturday and she came home and told me that she is going to be one of those little girls that comes out of the big dress. Okay, that I understood! We are WAY excited and WAY busy! Her performances will be in the middle of December out in Sandy and the tickets are $12, not a bad price for a Nutcracker performance. If anyone is interested in going, let me know and I can get you tickets.

Congrats!!

Yeah!! Hailee made it into the Nutcracker!! She will be a Bon-Bon (don't ask, I don't know what that means). We are so excited, and proud of her for doing her best. As soon as I know any details, like what performances she will be doing I will post it. Thanks so much for all of your encouragement, we read all the comments before we went to auditions!! I know she will be mad at me, but I just had to check before she got home from school, I have been a nervous wreck waiting!

Get out of the Tub!!

Issac is such a little tub freak, he just loves the tub. Today as I was trying to get Hailee ready for the auditions, Issac thought that he needed to get in the tub. He took his pants off and went and climbed in. Then he tried to turn the water on, luckily, I was close enough to the bathroom and heard him in there. Who knows how wet he would have been otherwise! He wasn't very happy with me when I pulled him out.

Nutcracker Auditions!!

Well, today was the auditions for the Nutcracker. As you can tell, Hailee was a little nervous, but I'm positive that my face was way more nervous than hers! I was a wreck sitting there waiting for her to get done. The parents were not allowed upstairs to watch, so I just had to sit there and wonder how it was going. Well, we won't know any results until Monday afternoon. We are so proud of Hailee for putting herself out there and trying! Thanks to everyone who wissed her well, it means a lot to us! Keep your fingers crossed.

Good Luck Hailee

This Saturday Hailee is going to audition for the Mountain West Ballet Nutcracker!! Everyone please wish her luck, she is very nervous. Hailee is very excited to audition, but not sure what to expect, and since I don't have any idea how they do things, I don't know what to tell her. We have never had her audition for anything like this before. Hailee is a wonderful dancer, and I'm sure she will do great, but all the prayers you could spare would be greatly appreciated!! Wish us luck!!

My Little Cheerleader

Here is Hailee with two of her friends (Abi and Sophie) doing cheerleading at Woods Cross. Once a year, the high school cheerleaders put on a "Mini Cheerleader" clinic. They teach the girls a few cheers, and a dance. Then the girls get to cheer, and perform their dance at half time at one of the football games. I know that the only reason Hailee loves to dance and cheer so much, is because I used to make fun of the girls on the drill team and cheerleaders all through high school. I had friends who were on both, and I teased them all the time. Now, I have a daughter who would like nothing better than to be a Woods Cross Cheerleader when she grows up. Scary as it is to addmit, she is good enough, that if she sticks with dance and doing the cheerleading once a year, she could do either cheerleader or drill team when the time comes. Hailee is very talented when it comes to dance, and she is always so enthusiastic!! We love you Hailee!! You looked so darn cute out there, we are proud of you.

Just playing outside.

I know I have not posted much lately. Things have been sooo stinking crazy! Well, this last week, while Hailee was at cheerleading, Chase and Issac were outside playing in the yard. I grabbed the camera and got an awsome picture of Chase climbing up in the tree. It is not a big tree, so he can't go very high, but he loves to climb it anyway. I love the fall season, all the changing colors, and cooler temps at night. Today we actually went to the fair with Holly and Kaden. I didn't even take the camera (horrible, I know). We had lots of fun, and spent too much money. I love to go and "people" watch, the kids don't really get into that much though.

The cutest aprons ever!!

Okay, so my beautiful, wonderful, sweet neighbor makes the most gorgeous aprons and other stuff!! She sells them at the farmers market, and she has a blog. You need to check it out! I have bought two of the aprons, unfortunately, I gave them both away as gifts (crazy me). I need to go pick some new fabric and have her make me one. I know what you are thinking, Lindy in an apron, scary, I know, but with a new oven, a dishwasher, and a decent kitchen, I actually cook now. Check out her blog it is: www.victoriawhiteandcompany.blogspot.com.

Girly Do Giveaway

Okay, so there is a giveaway for some WAY cute hair stuff on this new blog that I have found. Since I am not creative when it comes to doing cute things with Hailee's hair, I had to find somewhere to get some ideas. This is one of my favorite blogs. Check out the link, and enter the giveaway!! The blog is called GirlyDos.blogspot.com

Hiding Place

Well, before we moved, Issac had found a new place to hide. He would go into the kitchen and open the cupboard under the oven (which was in the wall). Then he would back into it and try to close the doors behind him. Too cute! Now he doesn't have a cupboard to hide in so he just opens the pantry door and climbs in and closes the door behind him and sits in the dark until someone finds him, crazy kid!

New School Haircuts

Okay, so I know that it has been a long time since my last post, but a ton has happened!! We moved! You will think that we are crazy, and to tell you the truth some days I think we're crazy, we moved just two houses down the street. It is a MUCH better house for us and it is the same price. The kids all have their own rooms, and I have an office for all of my work stuff! Anyway, before school started, I took them to get new haircuts! We went to a new place called "Cookie Cutters". It was awsome! At each station the have a PS2, so the kids can play games, or watch movies while they get their haircut in a car, truck or airplane chair. It was great, it really kept Chase from complaining that he had to get his hair cut.

New Camera!!

Okay, so I am finally going to share my new camera. I got a Cannon Eos Rebel XT. It has a longer name than that, but that is the basics of it. It is so much fun. My new toy will take three pictures in one second, which is what I need with two boys who don't hold still for anything!! We went to a family reunion for Todd's family a few weeks ago and took some great pictures!! Anyway, I am so excited to really learn all I can about this camera and be able to use it the right way. Sorry, for the boring post, but things are really crazy with my work right now, I have been working 5-7 hours everyday. Hopefully things will get back to the 3-5 hours a day soon and I can get back to posting more often.

Happy 6th Birthday Chase

Yesterday was Chase's 6th birthday. We had so much fun. We took him and three of his friends to Kangaroo Zoo. They did black light miniature golf (twice), and bounced in all the bounce houses for two hours. I think Todd and Jordan had as much fun as the kids, racing through the obstacle courses and down the slides. I missed lots of great pictures, because my camera is too slow, but that won't be a problem any more. After the party, I had had enough, so as an early present to me, we went out and bought a new camera. I will post about that later. Later that night we went to "jump in the water" (The Mayan) for dinner with Grandpa Al and Donna. I am so very proud of Chase and what a big kid he is becoming. Chase you are a great kid, who is so talented with sports and anything you try! Thanks for such a fun day yesterday, we love you so much!

All Tuckered Out!!

Well, after a few days of camping, water, and playing with cousins, Issac was completely worn out. He usually takes at least a 3 hour nap each day, so up camping with only 30 minutes of nap each day, Issac was soooo tuckered out! We finally got him to take a nap out on the water, in a tube! It was so cute!! We just had his in the shallow water and floated him around a little bit, and he just conked right out, so a couple of the boys carried him over to the shade. Palisades was so much fun, it was GREAT to see everyone. We spent lots of time down in the water, daring each other to jump off the dock into the cold water, paddling around in the paddle boats, riding the 4-wheelers, playing games, singing karaoke, and just hanging out, it was awesome! I can't wait to do it again. Hopefully next time I will have a better camera, and I can take lots more pictures!! Thanks to all who were there and made it so much fun, Love ya!

A day at the Cave with Grandpa

Yesterday Hailee and Chase went to Timpanogas Cave with their Grandpa Al. He is awsome with them, he will come and get them at least once a month during the summer on his day off and take them for the whole day. This time he decided to take them to Timpanogas Cave. He came and got them at about 9 in the morning. They had so much fun, but got a little tired on the way back down the trail (it's about a mile and a half each way). It really saved us yesterday, because Todd's Grandma died yesterday morning. Since Todd is an only child, and his parents are divorced, we are all Karen has to help her cope with the loss of her mom. We spent the day with her helping her get ready for the funeral, and just being there to help. Thanks, Nana for taking Issac for us, we love you so much. Todd's family (one aunt, four cousins and three kids) are not members of the LDS faith, so they are having a really hard time with the loss. It is really hard when they think there is nothing left, that they will never see her again. It is still hard on us even though we know it is not the end, and I am so very grateful to know that she is no longer in pain, and she is with lots of family getting to know them again. Thanks to all who love and support us, it means so very much, even if it is long distance! Can't wait to see everyone soon.

Check out my Slide Show!

Summer Fun

Okay, so we took advantage of the one day of good weather earlier this week. I have been telling the kids that I would go get them a little sprinkler to run through, but it has been so stinking cold, that I hadn't done it. Finally it got a little bit warmer, so I went and got this sprinkler. Hailee was off with some friends, so I told Chase that he could try it. I think Issac had more fun than Chase. Chase stil thought that it was too cold. Issac on the other hand could not get enough of it. He would just go stand in the water and shake because he was cold, but don't take him out or he will scream. They had lots of fun, and hopefully the weather will get warmer and it will feel good to get in the cold water!

Vietnam Wall Replica

Todd took these pictures while at work this week. He had the honor of installing the lights and power for this memorial. It was a really awsome thing to see, and he is really glad to work for such a great company who would donate all of the materials, and time. I know that the pictures can not do it justice, but we are so very greatful for all of the service men and women who fight for our freedom, then, now and in the future! Thanks doesn't seem good enough, but it's all I got.

Happy Birthday Charlie!!!!

Happy Birthday Charlie, we love you so much! Thanks for all you do for us and especially for all you do for Papa! I hope you have a wonderful day. Love Hailee, Chase, Issac, Todd and Lindy.

Hailee's Balett

Last Friday and Saturday Hailee had her balett performances. She is such a good little dancer, and the Bountiful School of Balett does a great job with the programs. Hailee has been dancing for four years now, and each performance is better than the last. This year the performance was called "The Toy Shop". Hailee was a puppet. She did GREAT!! I am so proud of her, she is a natural ballerina.

BASEBALL!!

Well, the baseball season has officially started. Chase now has two games and one practice a week. I love to be at the baseball field, it reminds me of how much time I spent there growing up. Chase is a natural, and has so much fun playing, he would like to have a game or practice every day. Hailee loves to go to the ball park, but for a whole different reason, the older brothers of Chase's teammates. They all end up over at the play ground. Last night Hailee bought herself and three of the boys a treat. I can't decide how old she is, 8 or 16?? Issac does good at the games for a little bit, but then he just wants to get out of the stroller and go. I don't blame him, but he is so hard to keep track of, having him in the stroller is soooo much easier. I will keep up on taking pictures and post them all at the end of the season in a slideshow. For now here is a picture of Chase being the catcher, just like dad and uncle Brett.

Bye Guys!!

Here is what happens every school day. The kids get ready to leave for school, and Issac walks them to the door, well, kind of pushes them to the door (that is how he tells you to do something). Once they walk out the door, he goes to the door and starts blowing kisses and waving at them. He stands by the door and watches them walk down the street. When he can't see them any more, he closes the other door. I thought I had better get a picture of this before the summer, or Issac doesn't do it anymore. They are so cute when they are not teasing each other! I just hope that once we move and get into a neighborhood where there are more kids, this will be less of a problem.

Someone Special Lunch

Today was the Someone Special Lunch at the school today, so Nana, Chase, Issac and me took Subway to Hailee. It was fun to see Hailee in her "natural habitat", she is so social, that all she did was sit there and say hi to her friends and their families, or wave to people across the room. It was great to have my mom there too, THANKS Nana. We love you! Issac did so much better today than he did on Moms and Muffins, all he did that day was scream. Thanks to the new stroller for keeping him confined.

New Pilot

Okay, so it took me FOREVER, but I finally fixed the pictures of Chase in the cockpit of the airplane. When we came home from San Diego at 12:30 in the morning (or night, whatever) the pilot of the airplane let Chase come up to the cockpit and take some pictures. He was so awsome, he let Chase sit in the co-pilots chair and he turned on all the instruments and everything. I think Emilie could make it better, but at least you can see what it is now. Maybe someday Chase will make lots of money and take care of me.

School Pictures

Here are Hailee's second grade picture, and Chase's kindergarten picture. I can't believe how grown up they look. Hailee brought hers home and told me that she liked all of it but one part. "Mom, I have a band-aid on my arm." How old is she again, 8 or 18?? With Chase I was just happy that he didn't have a runny nose in the picture. It seems like he always has a runny nose. Well, things around here are never boring, we have been super busy with soccer, t-ball, karate and ballet. Not to mention that we may be moving soon (possibly the first week of July). Hopefully we will still make it to at least a little bit of Palisaides. If all goes well with the house plans, I will fill you all in soon. I just don't want to jinx it, I really want this other house, so please pray for us! Thanks.

Baseball

Well Chase went to his first T-Ball practice yesterday. He will be on the Braves this year. He has been bugging me for two years to sign him up, and I have always missed the sign-ups. I missed them again this year, but called afterwards and had to pay an extra fee to sign him up, but I thought I may not be forgiven if I missed it for three years in a row! He is so excited that he came straight home and put on his shirt and hat (a friend gave us the pants since they don't give them those for T-Ball). He has been wearing the pants for at least a year! I think I am crazy, he now is playing baseball, soccer and has karate every week! Hailee has karate and ballet! I think next year they will be back to picking what thing they like the best.